[Smart Investing] SMSFs and the fit factor; Disputes over super death benefits; One of the great investment lessons
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26 September 2012
SMSFs and the fit factor
Self-managed super funds come standard with a common requirement - a long-term commitment. The decision to establish an SMSF is not something done lightly - it is essentially deciding to establish a life-long investment vehicle to house your retirement savings. But that is a decision being taken by more and more Australians as the latest report from the Australian Tax office on SMSFs reveals .
If you are ever going to have a dispute with a super fund, chances are it is going to be about fund administration or the distribution of superannuation death benefits following the death of a relative.
As the sharemarket enjoys a positive run (at least to the time of writing) and failed Queensland financial planning group Storm Financial makes headlines again, it is worthwhile revisiting one of the great investment lessons reinforced by the fallout from the GFC.
Vanguard is working with the SMSF Professionals Association of Australia (SPAA) to better understand the issues facing investors with an SMSF either in, or approaching retirement.
The survey will take 20-30 minutes and is completely anonymous. The results will help identify the issues that SMSFs are facing in the post-retirement years.
These links show a copy of the article (where freely available), or the publisher's website if a subscription is required.
REITs rebuild their reputations
David Potts, 19 Sept 12 It took five years but real estate investment trusts (REITs) have come in from the cold and are easily outperforming the rest of the sharemarket. Funds that invest in REITs are posting annual returns of up to 35 per cent including distributions.
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